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City of <br />Elk Special Meeting of the Elk River <br />River Economic Development Authority <br />Held at the Elk River City Hall <br />Wednesday, June 3, 2020 <br />Members Present: President Dan Tveite, Commissioners Garrett Christianson, Matt <br />Westgaard, Nate Ovall (arrived at 5:34), Jennifer Wagner, Jeff <br />Hartwig, and Charlie Blesener <br />Members Absent: None <br />Staff Present: Economic Development Director Amanda Othoudt, Economic <br />Development Specialist Colleen Eddy <br />I . Call Meeting to Order <br />Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River Economic <br />Development Authority was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by President Tveite. <br />2. Roll Call <br />3. EDA Strategic Plan Discussion <br />Ms. Othoudt presented the staff report. <br />The following representatives from Stantec were present: John Shardlow, Tom <br />Leighton, Lauren Walberg, and Heidi Pepper. <br />The commission members and staff introduced themselves. <br />Mr. Leighton facilitated the discussion. <br />Traditional Economic Development focuses on attracting and retaining businesses to <br />improve economic circulation. It is also important to consider human development - <br />cultivated through education, training, healthcare, and food supply. Other factors <br />include transportation and telecommunications, areas of character that support <br />tourism, and real estate development. <br />Commissioner Blesener asked if housing would be included in infrastructure. <br />Mr. Leighton agreed housing development could be a way to encourage businesses <br />to move in and also provide a work force. <br />Commissioner Westgaard asked if Elk River should be defined as an urban or a rural <br />community. Although Elk River borders the metropolitan area our transportation <br />funding classifies the city as rural. How should Elk River identify and market itself? <br />